Leadership. It's a word that often pops up during elections, and the race for the mayor's chair in Sturgeon County is no different.
Both candidates Tom Flynn and Don Rigney have made it a central element in their campaigns in an attempt to convince voters that they have the right vision for the county's future.
County council has been split by leadership struggles as of late, with meetings often marred by heated arguments, procedural bickering and angry accusations. More than one observer has looked at recent 4-3 splits and seen a council divided into two consistent blocks: one led by Rigney, and one led by Flynn.
Tensions grew so bad that county council had to call in former Capital Region Board chair Chris Sheard last year to get lessons on good governance – couple's counselling, essentially. Despite the lessons, the bickering continued.
Who's to blame? Both candidates had the same answer: the other guy.
Pointing fingers
Flynn agreed that Sheard's counselling sessions had little effect on council operations.
"(Sheard) recognized quickly that it's not about anything more than personalities," Flynn said. "Everyone at that table believes in good governance. Not everyone is willing to accept the will of council."
The Municipal Governance Act says that the will of council is set once a vote is passed, Flynn said, but some members had sought to undermine those decisions afterwards. "That's not acceptable."
Sheard had gotten all councillors to sign a code of conduct, Flynn said, but some have not been following it. "I think there's such a great divide in personalities that I don't know that you could bring this council back together."
Eventually, he named his opponent, Rigney, as the cause of council's troubles. "He's the direct force behind that major divide."
Council used to be far less co-operative before he was elected, Rigney said, with RCMP officers a common sight in council chambers.
Rigney said council's recent problems came down to Flynn. "Most of these problems have arisen since Coun. Flynn arrived on council," he said, saying that Flynn had brought party politics to the table. "There's been a split ever since."
Municipal politics should not be about party politics, Rigney said. "It should be about bringing the best idea forward."
Rigney accused his opponent of blowing with the wind when it came to major issues. "Mr. Flynn is more interested in being mayor like his father than doing what is right."
Looking ahead
Leadership starts with a fundamental understanding of history, economics and science, Rigney said, one that lets you assess your environment and create a vision for the future. Once you've got that, you put an organization in place to execute that vision.
"That's one of the big differences between myself and my competitor," he said. "He's talking about leadership that Sturgeon residents can be proud of. I've proven it. I think I've done more than virtually any leader in Canada."
Rigney said his work bringing the NorthWest upgrader to the county showed true leadership. This was one of the biggest industrial projects in Canada, he said, and one of the first new upgraders on the continent in decades. "That's leadership everyone in Sturgeon should be justly proud of."
If elected, he said the county would continue to be a leader nationally when it came to earning revenue and prosperity for its residents "so our kids and grandkids can all be assured they can live, work and play in Sturgeon County."
Leadership starts with putting the county first, Flynn said, part of which is actually attending all the meetings of council. "It has to be a priority to bring council together and not undermine council and administration."
Flynn said he would work to bring the rest of council together if elected. "I know Don (Rigney) and I are completely different in the way we conduct business," he said, accusing his opponent of micromanaging. "Our goal is to lay out the policies, work through budgets, and give it to administration to put those things in place."
He hoped that Sturgeon County would see strong industrial growth within four years, leading to a zero per cent tax hike and less debt. He also hoped for more development around Villeneuve and along local highways near towns, and to find some harmony with local municipalities and the province.
County residents will pick one of these two candidates as their mayor on election day, this Oct. 21.
